I am curious about the Torque Drive transmission, option MB1, that was available in 68 and 69 with the 6 cylinder engines. My 68 shop manual doesn't include it but my 69 manual does, implying that the option was available part way through 68. Can anyone confirm this and give an approximate availablity date? Also, I assume that the shift lever was column mounted only, am I correct? Finally, does anyone have or had a Camaro with this option? If so, how did it perform? Thanks, Joe.

One of the Torque Drive 1969 cars passed through my hands during the early '90s. I only had it for a few weeks. It was, indeed a column shift and would have been fine to own and drive in an open area such as Montana or Wyoming. Here, in Los Angeles, it was a pain in the butt. It drove like what it was, a Powerglide that needed to be shifted through every gear change. In traffic, it sort of made one glad that it was only a two-speed. For me, there was none of the satisfaction associated with driving a 4-speed or even a manual 3-speed. Performance was on a par with a more typical 6 cylinder, Powerglide car. At the same time I had a very clean 6 cylinder, T350, console-equipped car that used the lower first gear ratio to good advantage. That car was infinitely more satisfying to drive. I know that Torque Drive was relatively rare and as such generates some curiosity but I was not sorry when it found a new home.

My great grandfather owned Cook Chevrolet Oldmobile in Bristol New Hampshire from the early 60's till the early 70's...He ordered a 68 conv with the torque drive trans as a personal vehicle... my great uncle still owns the car. The car is in Jaffrey, NH now. I do not know the build date, I will attempt to find out...